Paragon SJ Macassar Ebony / Redwood Baritone

[riorider]

We're nearing the finish line (pun intended) so I thought I'd post just a taste of the "final lap" pictures before delivery next week.

Those who will be able to attend the "Central Oklahoma AGF Gathering III" I'm hosting on Nov 13 (see the link in my sig! All are welcome!) will see this puppy in person.

First, we start with a nice set of macassar ebony:


Glue the back, bend some sides:




Prepare for a bevel:


Get a nice redwood top:


Put together a 5 piece neck:




Put it all together, and start the finishing work (this is far from the final coat; not buffed; etc.)


And you really start to have something that looks like a killer baritone!


To be continued....

[Guit Hacker]

Where's the panting drooling smiley when I need it? 1st it's a Paragon, 2nd it's a Baritone, 3rd the tone woods. There's no way this will sound anything but spectacular.

[colins]

+1 for the panting drooling smiley!

Phil, what's the story behind the extra wood that looks like it will sit under the top on the bass side of the lower bout? Is that a Ryan bevel or similar in the making?

Col

[riorider]

Originally Posted by colins

+1 for the panting drooling smiley!

Phil, what's the story behind the extra wood that looks like it will sit under the top on the bass side of the lower bout? Is that a Ryan bevel or similar in the making?

Col

That's apparently how Rob (Bustos) constructs his bevel. You can see the nice, subtle sweep of the bevel (ebony - at least on the outer side) in that last picture.

Most of the appointments are subtle as well. Once Rob started putting together some purfling and binding ideas, he suggested backing off purfling (contrasting lines, anyway) so there would be nothing to detract from that outrageous stripey macassar - and I agree. It picks up the dark stripes but doesn't distract your eye.

And - truthfully - this is the first I'd seen the redwood. Isn't that grain interesting? Rob says the variations would keep it from being classed a 'master grade' but we both think it's much more interesting than a creamy one-color. He says it has "a slight flame in it which is nice yet not overpowering".

Seismic activity appears to be coming to central Oklahoma! And I can finally sing some of those old John Denver favorites using the same fingering I did in college without sounding like a strangled cat...

Thanks for looking with me!

Phil

[El Conquistador]

Looking good Phil. Glad things are humming along.
Steve

[riorider]

Rob's given me updates as he's been finishing it up. Sounds like it's a tone monster which is what we expected.

Pictures and initial impressions coming soon!

Phil

[riorider]

Thursday afternoon, they say...

Teaser shop photos....

[hnuuhiwa]

Hey Phil...looking good! Glad that it's on it's way and into your waiting arms soon. The wait will be worth it I'm sure...aloha, Hen

[PWS]

I just saw pics and heard a sound byte through Paragon's FaceBook announcement...beautiful! I hope to be getting something similar going in the next couple of years.

[riorider]

Thanks PWS.. it is very elegant looking (from the pics!).

We're tracking its journey from Vancouver to Oklahoma. UPS said 11/11/10 delivery, but it arrived Louisville, KY, at 0218 and I'm thinking it will be hard to have gotten on a plane to OKC and then on to a truck for delivery today. Wouldn't surprise me if it showed up tomorrow instead. I'll post photos when it arrives.

For anyone wanting to check Paragon's website or the links to the photos, here they are: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=49895847957

http://www.nanwob.net/guitars/v/paragon/philsbari/

Phil

[PWS]

Sorry, I should have signed off with my name, Peter. Rob is a great guy and luthier. I have the distinction of convincing him to do his first soundport on my MJ13...

Cheers, Peter

Originally Posted by riorider

Thanks PWS.. it is very elegant looking (from the pics!).
Phil

[justonwo]

That is a fantastic looking guitar. I love the redwood top! Can't wait to hear your review.

[riorider]

Thanks Peter and Juston!

It's been in "customs jail" since 218a in Louisville, KY (Vancouver to Seattle to Louisville). Rob followed up earlier today and was told there was no problem it was just going through the paperwork. There's no CITIES wood on this guitar btw..

But - UPS tracking showing it's not yet left Louisville, so I'm not sure if it will make it by tomorrow. That is likely - if it gets out tonight / early tomorrow, it will arrive OKC and be on the "brown truck of happiness" first thing tomorrow.

Juston - I agree on that redwood - lots of character without being 'over the top'. It was one of two sets that had been cut and drying for 20+ years old. It's not sinker, despite the slight similarity in striping.

I'm just looking forward to playing all my old John Denver favorites - you know the ones that you have to ask your wife for a wedgy before you can hit all those notes you belted out back in college?!!

Cheers...

Phil

[colins]

Good luck with the shipping Phil, hope you get it in time for the gathering tomorrow.

Col

[riorider]

Originally Posted by colins

Good luck with the shipping Phil, hope you get it in time for the gathering tomorrow.

Col

It doesn't look likely at all. Yesterday UPS said "Address illegible or missing" and then "Address Corrected".. Since then, it's been updated twice with the same wording:

11/12/2010 12:11 P.M. IMPORT SCAN
11/12/2010 2:15 A.M. IMPORT SCAN
which tells me they're still fussing with it (the 12:11p is the latest update).

I hear this happens quite a lot on international shipments - whether "express" or not. At least the weather is relatively temperate, so whatever hangar the guitar sits in over the weekend is not likely to be freezing or burning!

Of course, my wife has a more cynical outlook. She's convinced the customs agents - or the UPS guys - or both - are having fun passing the baritone around. Or one of them has a gig tonight!

Ah well... it will get here soon enough.

Cheers,

Phil